Check-protector.



C. C. McCOMBS.

CHECK PROTECTOR.

APPLICATION FILED MAY II. 1916.

1,21 9,336 Patented Mar. 13, 1917.

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Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 13, 1917.

Application filed May 11, 1916. Serial No. 96,888.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES CLEVELAND McCoMBs, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Stephenville, in the county of Erath and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Check-Protectors, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to a check protector and has for its principal object the production of a device which is so constructed as to facilitate the perforating of certain portions of a check and thereby prevent unauthorized tampering with the subject-matter as appearing thereon.

Another object of this invention is the production of a check protector wherein the body is formed from a blank and is provid'ed with a plurality of spring-like jaws being adapted to support the perforatingrollers in such a manner that the check may be inserted between the jaws at various positions, thus permitting the perforating rollers to engage the check at different points thereon.

Another object of this invention is the production of a check protector wherein the jaws have parallel spring tongues so as to carry the perforating rollers along the central longitudinal axis of the jaws, whereby the check being positioned between the jaws will be in the correct position to have the rollers move toward the longitudinalaxis of the check, while the tongues are'formed so as to yield slightly when necessary, thus taking.

up undue pressure.

With these and other objects in view this invention consists of certain novel combinations, constructions, and arrangements of parts as will be hereinafter fully described and claimed. In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is a top plan view'ofthe check protector, showing the same in use. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of thecheck protector.

Fig.3 is a fragmentary enlarged longi tudinal section through the outer end of one jaw, showing the perforating roller side elevation.

Fig. A is a plan view of the blank which the jaws are formed.-

Referring to the accompanying drawing by numerals it will be seen that the bod 1 is formed from a blank sheet of materia and is preferably diamond shaped as inthelplan from in the usual style ofprot'ectors the perfoaws.

view of the blank as shown in Fig. 4:. Thus, it will be seen that the jaws 2 are tapered from the body 1 to their outer reduced ends. This body 1 is bent transversely so as to cause the jaws 2 to extend substantially in parallel planes. In this manner it will be seen that asubstantially U-shaped support ing body and jaws are provided so as to permit the check to be inserted therein for. a. considerable distance when the protector is inoperation.

The outer ends of the jaws 2 are bent to provide the outer tongues 3 having apertures 4 formed therein. Adjacent these tongues 3 the jaws 2 have inwardly extending inner tongues 5 struck therefrom, these tongues 5 being bent along the lines 6. It should be noted that these lines 6 are at a spaced distance' from the portions of the tongues 5 which extend directly from the jaws 2, whereby the bases of the tongues 5 will be carried normally in alinement with the jaws.

2. These tongues 5 are also provided with bent so as to extend toward each other and the inner tongues 5 are bent so as to extend to- Ward each other, it'will be seen that the apertures 4 of the outer tongues 3 will be in shown in Fig. 2, so as to permit a check to be passed therebetween when the check protector 1s in use.

When this check protector is in o eration it may be used upon a check as re erred to herein at 10, permitting the check to extend between the slots as shown. If it is'so de- 1 sired the numerals designating the amount of the'check may be perforated and in this operation written designating numerals may also be perforated. In the operation of perforators of this type now in useit is only possible to perforate the portions of the check adjacent the marginal edge for it is impossible to perforate an entire line as the protector is shown to be doing in Fig. 1, for

rating rollers extend across or transversely to the longitudinal axis of the body or the ever, extend in-the same plane as the longi- The rollers as above set forth, how-- the jaws .the spring tongues will yield' slightly as indicated in dotted lines in Figs. 2 and 3, whereby the rollers will be retained in engagement with each other throughout their entire lengths, since as soon asundue strain is brought to bear upon the protector ,iit will be taken up by the yielding of the inncr spring tongues 5.- If the tongues were not formed in this manner but were bent dowmvardly adjacent the inner ends of these cut side portions then the undue pressure exerted upon the tongues would cause the outer ends of the jaws to be sprung apart, and thus the rollers would not operate throughout their entire lengths. It should further be noted that if so desired the body 1 may be provided with slots 11 which not only improve the appearance of the protector but also permit nails or hooks to be passed therethrough when it is desired to carry the protector upon a supporting surface, such for instance as a desk.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that a very simple and etlicient check protector has been produced which may be formed from a minimum number of parts at a very reduced cost thereby enabling it to be sold at such a price as to make it possible forthis protector to be purchased by anybody and, furthermore, owing to the fact that the perforating rollers extend along the longitudinal axis of the jaws it will be seen that checks may be perforated by moving the protector longitudinally thereof, thus causing the entire line of the check to be perforated.

\Vhat is claimed is:

1. A check protector of the class described, comprising a body, jaws extending from said body at substantially parallel planes with respect to each other, and perforating rollers carried upon said jaws in alinement with each other, said rollers extending along the central longitudinal axis of said jaws, whereby the protector may permit a check to be passed therebetween, at which time the protector will move longitudinally of' the check so as to cause the rollers to perforate the same.

2. A check protector of the class described comprising a body, substantially parallel jaws extending from said body,'inwardly extending spring tongues formed upon said jaws, perforating rollers longitudinally mounted upon said tongues, said rollers extending'in the same planes as the longitudinal axis of said jaws, whereby a check may be positioned between said jaws at adesired i the outer end of each jaw, said tongues ex- 5. A checkprotector of theclass described tending toward each other, inner spring.

tongues struck from said jaws at distances from the outer ends of saidjaws, said inner spring tongues extending toward each other, the inner spring tongue upon one jaw being in alinement with the tongue formed upon the outer end of the respective jaw, perforating rollers carried by said tongues so as to abut against each other when the jaws are urged toward each other, said rollers'extending in the longitudinal plane of-theaxis of said jaws, whereby a check may be'passed between said aws to a point desired at which time the jaws may be swung toward each other so as to cause said rollers to engage the check, whereby by moving the perforator along the check a complete line of perforations may be formed therein. i

4. A check protector of the class described, I

comprising an enlarged central body, jaws extending from said body and tapering to ward their outer ends, inwardly extending tongues formed upon the outer ends of said jaws, inner spring tongues struck from said jaws adjacent their outer ends, said lastmentioned tongues being bent so as to have the portion thereof adjacent their bases to extend normally in the same plane as said jaws, perforating rollers carried by said spring tongues, said perforating rollers extending in the plane of the central longitudinal axis of said jaws, whereby a check may be passed between said jaws to a desired point at which time said jaws may be swung toward each other so as to cause said rollers to grip firmly upon the check and forma row of perforations therein as the protector is moved along the check, and said last-mentioned springtongues being adapted to yield slightly by moving outwardly when excessive pressuregis brought to bear upon said jaws, whereby said rollers will be permitted to remain in engagement with each other at all times.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature.

' CHARLES CLEVELAND McGOMBS.

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